Destructive and non-destructive testings of 304 austenitic stainless steel produced by investment casting method

In this study, the properties and structures of 304 austenitic stainless steels produced by investment casting methods and stages through destructive and non-destructive (NDT) testing methods are examined. First, the model mould was created from recycled wax containing 5–25% water, 15–35% filler and 0.5% ceramic for the production of a water pipe armature by investment casting method. Then, the ceramic coated mould was sintered at 1350°C, and 304 austenitic stainless steel was melted in the induction furnace at 1150°C at a speed of 1.36 kg/min and poured into this mould. The hardness value of the 304 austenitic stainless steel water pipe armature was obtained as 86.16 HRB and the tensile strength value was 518.76 MPa. As a result of examination with an optical metal microscope, ferrite and austenite structures were observed. Linear and round defects were detected in the liquid penetrant test, and third level (RT-3) shrinkage-delta defects were detected in the radiography test. These results showed that the armature part was acceptable in terms of mechanical strength, corrosion and leakage.